I really am sad to say that after 3 years and about 100 issues (with events, tie-ins, etc.), Nick Spencer’s run really went nowhere. Things happened sure, and I am extremely grateful that he undid the Gwen Stacy and Norman Osborn storyline — one of the most horrendous plot points in Spider-Man’s history in my opinion second only to One More Day. But the constant teasing, constant foreshadowing of “mind blowing” revelations, and constant retreading of the Kindred storyline made for a dragged out read with lukewarm payoffs. I hate to say, it even felt like a chore at times getting through a storyline. The initial reveal that Kindred’s driving force was to make Peter suffer for his sins ended up feeling flat after we learn that he didn’t really have a hand in setting the events in motion that led to the creation of Kindred. Furthermore, appearances by characters closest to him like Miles, Cindy, Gwen (Spider-Gwen), and Doctor Strange always felt like they were relegated to nothing more than a backdrop or served to fill the pages. One thing, the only thing really, that I wanted for Spencer to give us was to finally return to Peter and MJ what they deserve most, their marriage. I would have looked past everything and even deemed his run a success if he could have delivered what Spider-Man fans have been rightfully asking for almost 15 years now. But alas, it became another unfinished thread only to be revisited at later date and unnecessarily dragged out for the sake of “build up”. I don’t enjoy criticizing writers. I can only imagine the work that goes into building a story and bringing it to life. However, after spending hundreds of dollars, time, and good faith there comes a point where you ask for change, and change is coming. I’m very excited for the upcoming team of writers. Some of my favorite! I truly hope they give Peter and MJ what they were unjustly robbed of so many years ago. I don’t think we deserve being strung along any further. Please, share your thoughts on this issue and Spencer’s run. Maybe I’m wrong and maybe you can help me see things in a different light!

A solid start for this new ‘era’ of Amazing Spider-Man! In short, this first issue is fully used to introduce the pieces that will establish the status quo going forward. Not much happens, but that’s ok. After so many plot threads going on at once and what felt like a continuous unorganized setting, it felt great to enjoy a simple Spider-Man comic. A story that went from A to B and lays the foundation to organically move to C. Like I mentioned, nothing necessarily big or mind blowing happens, but the possibilities for where the story can go are vast which I appreciate. Touching on the pacing, we are getting issues almost on a weekly basis so I’m ok with the modest approach that is taken. At least for now, as my biggest worry is that it again turns into the dragged out cycle of the previous run. *Spoiler Free* Now, onto the actual comic. The issue is broken into two main plots - Peter trying to process the events resulting from the Kindred battle and the re-introduction of Ben Reilly to Spider-Man. While you will be left with questions, mostly pertaining to Reilly, the writing is concise and highly entertaining. There are a few moments where Peter’s responses or reactions seem a little out of character, but I’m attributing that to his current state of mind - It could also just be me though. The artwork by Patrick Gleason is a sight to see! Every page he draws is a visual experience. He brings life to every character and the emotions they are experiencing. The subtle differences he depicts between Peter and Reilly while yet showing that they are in fact clones is a treat. I think that his action and fight scenes are some of the best in comics and I don’t think he receives the credit that he deserves. It’s a new status quo for Spider-Man and I think it’s looking bright! Can’t wait for the next issue.

A great follow up issue by Zeb Wells and Patrick Gleason. When I finished the issue I realized that the entire time I was having so much fun, and this is really what I’ve been missing from Spider-Man. I cared about what was happening to Peter and Ben. The interactions between them feel real, genuine, and important. There is one particular moment between the two that hit me right in the feels and made me think “damn I love this, this is why Peter is my favorite superhero and one of my favorite people in comics.” Gleason’s art continues to shine in every aspect. From the action scenes to the more quiet moments his art captures your attention. Lastly, I want to briefly touch on Ben Reilly seemingly taking over for Peter as Spider-Man. While initially I felt lukewarm to the idea, after reading this issue I think there’s something big and awesome that will happen to Peter once it’s all said and done! Kelly Thompson and Sarah Pichelli will be taking over the next few issues as part of the superstar creative team assembled for this new era of Spider-Man. I honestly can’t wait as I’m a huge fan of Kelly Thompson’s writing and Sarah Pichelli is also one of my favorite artists. It may be early, but so far this is shaping up to be a Spider-Man run to remember!

Chicken Devil 1 by Brian Buccellato, artist Hayden Sherman, and letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. Holy Sh*t 🤣🤣😂😂 This is one of the craziest and most hilarious reads I’ve experienced recently! Up front I want to say buy this book, if there is one new book you’re going to give a chance to this week please let it be this one. The best way I can describe it is, if you were to take the the best parts of a Guy Ritchie, Shane Black, and Quentin Tarantino movie and you throw in some Breaking Bad and then top it of with great humor. What I was impressed by is how quickly you can go from belly laughs to “damn this is fuc*ed up.” Our main character Mitchell Moss is an everyday guy with a beautiful and loving family - though a bit chaotic. You could even say he might take it for granted. What’s a little bit different about Mitchel though is that he owns a chain of chicken sandwich restaurants called Mitch’s Hot Chicken in Los Angeles. He started this venture with his childhood best friend Antonio from scratch. Unfortunately, for Antonio the chicken business just wasn’t enough for him and he gets mixed in with some very bad people and some very bad business. Ultimately everything comes crashing down around Antonio which inevitably pulls in Mitchell. What happens because of Antonio’s seedy dealings changes Mitchell’s life forever and makes him long for the days when all he had to worry about was waking up to a noisy house before making his way down to check on his famous chicken restaurants. I have to give special credit to letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. The lettering he does adds so much character to the story and even adds to the comedic impact of many scenes. Some of the most unique and enjoyable lettering I’ve seen. Sherman’s art is full of energy and perfectly matches the chaotic nature of everything that happens. PS: If you do plan to read it make sure you read the backup. It’s perfect 😂

This is Snyder’s second release from his exclusive deal with Amazon’s ComiXology and just released today! If you have an Amazon Prime or ComiXology Unlimited membership you can read it for free! This is another title that I have been anxiously waiting to read. The best way I can describe it is if you were to take some of the concepts of Inception, Surrogates, and Blade Runner and made something new. It’s a Neo-Noir story that I didn’t know I needed in my life. So what is Clear all about? It’s about Detective Sam Dunes navigating in a world where people have the ability to serve as neurological servers for constant internet connection and use ‘Veils’ or filters to see the world for what they wish it to be. You want to see the world and how you are seen as the 1980s? Cartoon world? Porn world? Just buy the right Veil. Dunes however chooses to see the world for what it really is, and in order to do that he buys Clear. Clear allows you to see past through all of the deception and data. To pay for the expensive Clear he takes on cases of people using Black Veils — veils that are unregistered and illegal to use. These are the seediest and darkest of veils. One day while on a job, his past comes back to knock on his door and it will set him on a path that will require Dunes to face a reality he might not even be prepared for. I was pulled into the world of Clear the moment I finished the first page and had to snap myself back to reality when I was done with the last page. There has been a lot done with the concept of manufactured/augmented reality in literature and film, but Snyder and Manapul manage to create something different and unique. Manapul is at the top of his game here! This is a comic you need to read to truly experience!

The best description I can give for Eat the Rich is that it’s Cruel Intentions meets Get Out. It’s a story about the ultra wealthy and their inner workings from the perspective of an outsider. Our main character is Joey, a normal college girl whose boyfriend Astor comes from an incredibly wealthy family. Joey and Astor are going to spend the summer with Astor’s family at their beach house in Crestfall Bluffs. This will be her first introduction to his family and their world. Naturally, Joey is incredibly nervous about the meeting fearing that she won’t fit in and that Astor’s family will reject her. From the initial introduction between Joey and Astor’s family you get a sense of uncomfortableness and a feeling of dread washes over you. You know that there’s something disturbing and sinister beneath the surface of Astor’s family masked by their politeness. The night of their arrival there is a retirement party for one of the neighbor’s groundskeepers. It’s tradition that the community throw a celebration in honor of staff members retiring. As the party goes on Joey begins to realize that something is incredibly off about how everyone is acting. She leaves to get some fresh air and stumbles on Astor’s father and other members of the community honoring the retired groundskeeper. Let’s just say that after what she sees, it’s not the summer Joey ever wanted to be a part of. Eat the Rich revisits themes that have been explored before and while the premise isn’t anything groundbreaking that’s not to say it’s any less compelling. What increasingly drew me in was how uncomfortable I was made to feel. It’s unrelenting how ominous everything is and I love it. Pius Bak and Roman Titov deserve high praise for crafting this setting. Bak’s art has a pop-art quality to it but it doesn’t feel happy or joyful due to Titov’s masterful color work. While the colors used by Titov are colorful and bright, Titov also blends in shadows and a lot of black. I’m not sure what Eat the Rich has in store but it has left me craving for more.

Eat the Rich #2 delves into the aftermath of what Jo saw Pip do to the Rockweather’s groundskeeper Toby. Lying in bed and terrified to death, her only desire is to leave. Jo tries to wake Astor up to let him know what she saw but to no avail, as the Klonopin he took to help him sleep has him too out of it. Jo decides to go searching for proof so that she can convince Astor in the morning of what happened. Petal ends up finding Jo as she is snooping through Pip’s office. The conversation that ensues between the two is downright tense, a little shocking, and definitely disturbing. However, there are some themes that are touched on by Petal that I found to be quite relevant and surprisingly poignant about class inequality, inadequate healthcare system, predatory pharmaceutical practices, and the desperate lengths everyday people can go to just to survive. The following morning as Jo tries to keep her composure so she won’t lose her mind, she’s approached by Astor’s step mom so they can discuss exactly what it was that Joey saw Pip and the other wealthy neighbors do. I want to immediately state how blown away I am by Pius Bak’s art. It’s wonderfully expressive, fluid, and down right beautiful. I have become an instant fan over these two issues! I promise that you will feel the same once you open up Eat the Rich. Sarah Gailey continues a sharp narrative giving a distinctive voice to each character. They continue to build this dark aristocratic world that Jo has found herself in. The rules don’t apply to the rich of Crestfall Bluffs. The extent of the power afforded to them by their wealth is tragically revealed by what their literal servants are willing to do.

Eve has been such a beautiful experience. Stellar finish to one of the best comics in years. I hope Eve’s story is not over and that we get to cheer her on again one day as she continues helping and healing the world.

The indie comic I would like to spotlight today is Gun Honey 1 by Charles Ardai and artist Ang Hor Kheng. The title itself is almost as alluring as the many exotic covers. But is there more to Gun Honey beneath the sexy and eye catching covers? The short answer is: yes, there is a lot to enjoy! The thing is, I think it depends on what your tastes are and your willingness to somewhat suspend belief. This statement may seem obvious and even vapid, but there are certain comics, stories, movies, etc. you can safely say are mostly universally liked. With Gun Honey I think you need to be open to pulp fiction/noir storytelling to truly appreciate how great and fun this first issue is. The story opens in Santorini, Greece where our main character, Joanna, is sun bathing on the beach. She is spotted by a man from his yacht, who we can assume to be a rich and powerful individual, and is invited to join him. She gladly accepts and makes her way to the yacht via a smaller boat that is sent to escort her. Shortly after enjoying some time in a hot tub, Joanna goes to the restroom. While there, she assembles a gun from pieces disguised as adornments on her bikini. She also pulls out a few bullets from the lining of her bikini top! Joanna hides the crafted gun in the restroom and walks out. Moments later, we hear gun shots and chaos ensue. Joanna leaps off the yacht and disappears amid the commotion. She travels back to the U.S. and as soon as she arrives home she is met by a government agent that knows all about her and her infamous reputation for being able to get you the weapon you need, where you need it, and when you need it. He presents Joanna with an offer that will grant her the freedom to do what she does best. But is it an offer that Joanna wants? Will this set her on a trajectory to encounter danger like never before? Only way to find out is to join Joanna on her adventures as the Gun Honey! Lastly, I want to touch on Ang Hor Kheng’s art. It seduces you into this world. It’s never raunchy, distasteful, or cheap. There is a thrilling glamour that he depicts that you want to experience! Pick up the first issue and see if it’s an adventure you want to experience!

This debut issue gave me the right amount of belly laughs. I was worried it wouldn’t be anywhere near as enjoyable as the show, but I was proven very wrong. It has the ridiculous moments that are so enjoyable as well as heartfelt moments sprinkled in all the craziness. The art is filled with energy and translates the spirit of the show so damn well. I’m all in for this Eat. Bang! Kill Tour.

A strong debut to Aaron’s story, both in writing and art. While this debut was not like the explosive debut of SIKTC, I never expected it to be. SIKTC is the kind of comic, story, and work of art that only happens a few times in history. While my statement may seem a bit dramatic, think about what other titles have commanded such fervor and attention from readers? There’s a magic to SIKTC and Erica Slaughter. With that being said, this by no means that Tynion and company failed in introducing a compelling story and further expanding the world of SIKTC. There is still so much more to discover about this world, the monsters, and the secrets that The Order holds. I think House of Slaughter (HOS?) is the perfect place to explore these aspects. So what is this issue all about? It’s about Aaron introducing us to his beginnings and his place in The Order. We have come to know Aaron as Erica’s “pain in the ass” handler who has a confidence and assertiveness to him, but that wasn’t always the case. House of Slaughter shows us the difficulties Aaron faced not being the strongest, fastest, or fiercest. We get to see the beginnings of the traits that Aaron possesses that allow him to become the person we know in SIKTC. Erica mentioned early on in SIKTC that Aaron doesn’t get his dirty, and she’s right to a point. There will always be monsters and because of that, there needs to be people like Aaron. Those that can use their minds, intuitiveness, and ability to look at problems from different angles to ensure the Order and House of Slaughter survive and succeed. Lastly, I want to mention that I loved seeing Jessica be a central figure to this story. She’s a great character and one of my favorites. It’s touching to see her relationship with Aaron. Even though they hunt monsters, she doesn’t allow herself or others to forget that they are human and need to show compassion. I can’t wait to get more of House of Slaughter and continue learning more about this world that I have fallen in love, tragic as it may be.

Damn, this was a fantastic read. Before I finished the third page I knew I was going to love this. I know this may seem like I was too quick to judgement, but have you ever gotten the feeling that something you’re reading is just right? That the moment your eyes catch the artwork you know there’s no way it’s going to turn out wrong? The Human Target is exactly that. I have been very critical of Tom King as a writer over the last few years because of his time on Batman. I think I’ve been unfairly critical as his Batman run is only one aspect of his writing career and what he’s capable of. His Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow has been a perfect comic, one of the most beautiful books I’ve had the pleasure of reading. It’s his Supergirl comic that made me realize I had unfairly written off Tom King. Well, it’s The Human Target that has cemented that realization. How could I forget the work he did on Vision, Mister Miracle, and The Omega Men? Of course, the stunning artwork by Greg Smallwood is the other piece that makes this debut issue a must read. Smallwood’s pop art style and colors immediately provide a movie like experience. His colors bring life to the story. He gives Christopher Chance a convincing Noir Detective with 80s cool vibe. What I am most impressed by are the facial expressions and the emotions that Smallwood is able to convey through them. So what is this issue all about? It’s about Christopher Chance trying to solve his own murder after being poisoned during a protection job he took from Lex Luthor. He has 12 days until the poison finally does the job that countless others have failed to do. Accepting his fate with the kind of resolve and cool that we would expect from Christopher Chance, he puts on his suit and tie to do one last job. Lastly, I must say the interactions and dialogue between Chance and Luthor were the absolute highlight for me. Even though short, this is probably my favorite interpretation of Lex Luthor that I’ve read in years!

I was not expecting the wild ride that this took and I don’t want it to end! The best way that I can describe this is Wanted meets Carrie. This is a dark comedy that is gruesome with purpose. Our main character Stanley is a down on the dumps schlub that walks through life being tormented, pushed around, and taken advantage of by just about everyone. At work he’s the errand guy that gets sent to pick up breakfast and lunch orders for the entire staff. He’s berated by his boss and co-workers for taking too long, getting their complicated orders wrong, and just being him. The one saving grace in his life is his beautiful girlfriend Fiona who is way above his league. But like everything in his life, even his relationship is a form of ridicule as she sleeps with others behind his back. This is no secret to Stanley but he decides to trade his happiness for a chance to be with the girl of his dreams. So what happens when a life filled with repressed anger, sadness, and constant disrespect makes you vulnerable to demonic possession? Well that’s where the demon Zedirex The Tormentor comes in. Zed posses Stanley and uses him to escape The Inferno after being trapped there for far too long. What ensues is a path of destruction, death, and torment. Terrified of what’s happening to him, Stanley seeks out a Discount Clairvoyant to perform an exorcism opting out of going to a church for the sake of expediency. Like everything in life you get what you pay for as the exorcism doesn’t go quite right. Zed is expelled from Stanley’s body but Stanley ends up retaining Zed’s powers. So what does Stanley do with this newfound power that he’s never had before? That I don’t want to spoil for you! There are so many things I love about this stunning debut. The pacing and flow effortlessly moves you from page to page. That is if you don’t pause and just admire in awe at the amazing artwork from Galán. I have to say this is some of the most fun and impressive artwork I’ve seen recently. I promise you that you will be left wanting more!

Lucky Devil 2 continues it’s excellent delivery of storytelling, pacing, art, and devilish fun. We catch up with Stanley as he’s settled into his newly found demonic powers. With these powers and confidence he’s never felt before he’s not wasting any time as he moves to build his cult or “church” as he calls it. He’s not alone anymore as a new lady is now by his side believing in his newfound purpose. What is this purpose you may ask? Well, it’s making sure that those that have been overlooked, thought of as insignificant, and made to feel small turn the tables in the “celestial tug-of-war” between Heaven and Hell as Stanley puts it. Of course it can’t be that simple though. As Stanley continues to build his reach and influence, others start to take notice, both in our world and in the underworld. Stanley is going to need all of his newfound power to survive what’s coming next. I can’t stress enough how sharp Cullen Bunn’s dialogue is. Combine that with the stellar art from Fran Galán and you are pulled into the story page after page. I’ll admit it’s morbidly satisfying seeing Stanley transform from the schmuck he was to the charismatic suit wearing Stanley. If you aren’t reading this comic do yourself a favor and start. I can promise you you’ll feel like a Lucky Devil yourself for doing so.

Mazebook is Jeff Lemire’s latest work that displays his uncanny talent as a creative — both as a writer and as an artist. It’s one thing to bring to life a story or idea in script but to also do it artistically is something that I have immense respect for. Our main character Will Warren is a lonely building inspector who tragically lost his young daughter, Wendy, at the age of 11. Ever since then he has delved deeper and deeper into a life of mundane routine. It’s the routine that helps him not have to feel anything or think. Will has isolated himself from the world and keeps everyone around him at arms length, from his co-workers who invite him out on get-togethers to neighbors in his apartment complex that try to connect with him. Recently, Will has been worried that he’s losing his memories of Wendy. He can no longer clearly remember her face. What he can remember, almost vividly, is an old red sweater of his that she loved wearing more than anything and her love for puzzles. Both of which are sure to play an important role. His biggest fear is forgetting his daughter all together. Will begins getting calls in the middle of the night from an unknown number and ignores them as the days go by. That is until one night and fed up he answers. It’s a call that will make his life anything but routine and set him on a journey to solve a puzzle that you have to read to find out what is at the center of it!! What I enjoyed most about this first issue is how much of Will’s state of mind we are able to experience. It allows us to sympathize with the pain and sadness he feels, creating a connection to him I think will be immensely important to truly appreciate the story as it unfolds. Lemire’s watercolor like art is appropriately and effectively melancholy. Muted colors are used with only hints of color appearing to highlight more cheerful moments or particular points of interest. I strongly recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a story about family, grief, loss, love, and ultimately moving forward. The puzzle is just starting and I’m excited to see what we find at the center of it all.

Mazebook #2 introduces us to the journey that will be filled with puzzles and mazes which Will Warren will undertake to find his daughter Wendy. We learned in the first issue that Wendy passed away ten years ago and ever since then, Will has become a recluse - essentially giving up on truly living his life. The sole comfort he has is the monotonous daily routine he follows that helps him preoccupy his thoughts. That is until he receives a phone call at the end of the fist issue, which he believes to be Wendy asking him to find her and rescue her from the Maze she is trapped in. Will decides to revisit parts of his and Wendy’s past in order to find clues that will hopefully help him make sense of everything. Ultimately what he discovers will set him on a journey to solve the most important puzzle of his and Wendy’s life. There are interactions Will has and scenes that I would say are emotionally difficult to read through. They’re not graphic, or violent, or anything of a harmful nature. They’re simply just sad and you can’t help but empathize with Will. Even if you’ve never gone through what he has, it’s easy to think that you would probably be in the same mindset and walk through life in the same way he has. I can’t wait to find out what happens next and if Will can find a little happiness. Lemire’s art and gray and brown monotone watercolors perfectly match the narrative. It’s surreal at times and allows you to experience the hazy world that Will must see through his eyes. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend you give Mazebook a try. We’re only two issues in and it’s already been a compelling and beautifully emotional experience.

If there has ever been a horror comic that has captured the magic of the golden age of horror films of the 1920s - 1940s it’s Night of The Ghoul. Now I know this is a bold statement, but stay with me and at the end of what I have to say please experience this masterclass in suspense, art, and storytelling alternating between the present and World War I. Night of the Ghoul opens with our main characters, Forest Inman and his son Orson, as they make their way to a hospice center out in the middle nowhere. After weeks of research they have uncovered the location and identity of the great director and writer T.F. Merrit. Merrit is the creator of the lost classic film Night of the Ghoul - which many would say would have been the greatest horror movie of all time had it not been destroyed in a studio fire. Forest’s deep rooted love for horror films and what seems like a journalistic background allows him to track down the lost film, though partially destroyed. Forest and his son convince the staff to allow them to see T.F. Merrit, going by a different name, under the guise of being insurance agents there to review some final details about Merrit’s insurance, now that he is at the end of his life. When Forest finally meets Merrit, he tells him everything he knows about him and the admiration he has. Merrit agrees to tell Forest the true story about The Night of Ghoul and how everything around them is not what it may seem. I don’t think I can praise Francavilla’s art enough. He captures the eerie, unnerving, and suspenseful feeling that horror movies give you as a little kid, and even as an adult. I don’t mean the slasher, or almost comedic violence kind of horror movies. I mean the ‘what’s in the shadows’ or ‘around the corner’ feeling of dread. It’s the lovecraftian terror of not knowing what you’re even afraid of that’s ever present Francavilla’s art and is what makes Night of The Ghoul so delightful. His colors are striking, vivid, and muted when needed, providing you that classic horror movie poster feel that much of the magic comes from. Night of the Ghoul is one of the best debut issues I’ve read in a long time and I truly hope you experience it. Scott Snyder is on a roll and it seems like there’s no stopping him.

Nightwing #85 continues the Fear State Batman event but for the most part this issue still feels somewhat self contained - I love when titles can accomplish this so you don’t feel like you’re completely dependent on having to read multiple titles to enjoy your individual issue. Now on to the comic itself, another fantastic issue! I have to start with raving about Robbi Rodriguez’s art. I was bummed out when I heard Bruno Redondo was going to be taking a break, but was immediately relieved when I learned that Rodriguez would be taken over and man has he been delivering! The action sequences are full of energy and I love the shadows he incorporates when drawing Dick and Babs. There’s one flashback scene that became the absolute highlight for me (Swipe for my favorite scenes, including the flashback). I’ve really enjoyed how Taylor has been building to Dick and Bab’s renewed relationship and it’s on full display this issue. It never feels jarring or like it affects the pacing of the story, instead it adds to the narrative and theme that Taylor has been building since he took over Nightwing. What was unique for this issue is that it was a Batgirl comic more so than a Nightwing comic. The focus on her was awesome! Bab’s continued her pursuit and fight against The Seer and her takeover of Bab’s Oracle program. However, Dick never felt out of place or like he was just background dressing. I enjoy when characters are featured in a comic and they actually add to the story. This issue made me want a Nightwing and Batgirl comic more than ever.

Primordial by Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino is the comic that fills the void of a particular sub-genre that’s been missing among all of the amazing comic books out. A political thriller with a conspiracy at the heart of it, along the lines of The Department of Truth, but with a focus on the cosmic. A political-cosmic thriller if you will. Set in the 1960s in an alternative universe where events have a slightly different outcome. Richard Nixon defeated John F. Kennedy in the 1960 presidential election — leading to a different path for the space race between the United States and Russia. Our main character, Doctor Donald Pembrook arrives at Cape Canaveral in 1961 under the impression that he’s on a top secret mission at the forefront of a restarted space program. Instead, what he finds are the remnants of it and his mission: a clean-up job. Confused and disillusioned as he holds a PhD in electrical engineering from MIT, Pembrook begins to work. He is later approached by an individual also working on the clean up. He hands Pembrook vital sign read outs of the two primates that were sent to space. Those two monkeys were Able and Baker, and in this universe they never returned. Pembrook analyzes the data and makes a shocking discovery. He places a call to a General Talbot wanting to urgently discuss what he discovered. Instead, Talbot hangs up and the following day Pembrook finds himself dismissed from the project. When he gets back in his car, a mysterious individual is waiting for him inside. What he tells Pembrook about what really happened to Able, Baker, and…others sets the stage for what is sure to be a story filled with mind bending discoveries. Full disclosure: I have an inherent bias when it comes to Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino teaming up. Some of my favorite comics have been created by this duo. With that said, I truly believe this is a comic that you want to get your hands on. The tone and mood of a political thriller taking place in the 1960s is perfectly captured by Lemire’s dialogue and pacing. Sorrentino’s art is surreal and eerily ethereal at times. It’s so satisfying how he captures the otherworldly feeling and vastness of space. Read Primordial and join Doctor Donald Pembrook as he uncovers the secrets of what really happened on the mission to space.

What at first seemed to me was going to be a simple cosmic story with fun twists and turns has evolved into something I feel is much more complex. We follow the story of Laika the space dog as she went from street dog to astronaut - and we see it through her point of view. Lemire’s script this issue is fairly simple but extremely effective. His script combined with Andrea Sorrentino’s astounding art immediately make you fall in love with Laika. There are moments that will break your heart a bit, and all you’ll want to do is give her a hug. Sorrentino is able to depict so many different emotions coming from Laika that’s it’s almost like she’s speaking simply by using her eyes and facial expressions. Dave Stewart’s colors provide surreal sequences throughout the issue that allow you to feel like you’re in a dreamscape. Going any deeper into the plot is sure to spoil the magic of this issue. So, if you’ve yet to read Primordial I implore you to read the first two issues. The first will grab your attention but it’s this one that will have you hooked.

Radiant Black continues its excellent storytelling and world building with issue #7. This is definitely one of the funnest comics on the stands right now. We pick up right after the events of issue #5 when the Radiants encounter a mysterious enemy (who I’m calling Glitch for now) that is hunting them for their powers. We don’t get any new background on who this powerful enemy is but we do get get an awesome showdown between him and the Radiants. It’s so much fun to see their powers displayed, especially as a team. The biggest jumping out of my seat moment is when Radiant Pink accidentally teleports herself and Marshall to space! We get to see them land in the middle of what seems to be an intergalactic war between space robots! This opens the doors to so many possibilities and has officially expanded the Radiant Black universe. If you still haven’t jumped on what is surely to become of the greatest comics and universes create do it now! Things are only going to get more epic and cosmic from here.

Radiant Black 8 picks up right after the last issue that saw Satomi and Radiant Yellow - whose name we now know is Wendell, discover the mysterious villain that I’m still calling Glitch. All while Marshall and Eva continue their detour and find themselves in Russia. I have to say I laughed so hard in the opening scene between Marshall and Eva that I actually started tearing up, Marshall is hilarious. I haven’t had a laugh this good reading a comic in long time. There were great character moments between Marshall and Eva. We don’t get much info on Eva but even in these brief scenes we get an idea as to what her personality is like and she’s cool. At the same time, Satomi and Wendell get into a badass and action packed fight with Glitch! Eventually Marshall and Eva find themselves back to the fight and let’s just say some bat-shit crazy stuff happens!!! That’s all I’ll say because you just have to read the rest! If you still aren’t reading Radiant Black, I implore you to visit your comic shop and pick it up. This is my favorite comic at the moment and one of the best overall comics out right now. The art, the dialogue, the perfect amount of comedy, and the fight and action scenes are top notch. The Radiant Black universe is shaping up to be something truly special.

*SPOILER FREE ADVANCE REVIEW* The Cull #1 by Kelly Thompson, art by Matia De Iulis, and letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. I’ve been eagerly waiting for Kelly Thompson’s next Indie comic, and it does not disappoint. We’re introduced to a group of friends as they are getting ready to meet up to go shoot a short film near mysterious large black rocks by the beach. These mysterious rocks have spurred legends in their hometown, and have even brought some fame. While the group thinks they’re there to do something fun before they each go their separate ways after the summer, there’s one of them whose secret motive for being there will plunge them all into a horror filled meet up they could have never expected. I was hooked from the first page as you could feel the tension and darkness immediately beginning to build. Throughout the story you never quite feel safe as you’re expecting something to pop out from the shadows at any moment. It’s a lot of fun feeling like you’re watching a horror movie in the dark. This is where Matia De Iulis’ art truly shines. His art has a realism to it, almost photorealistic, it makes each scene come alive. There’s so much detail in the art that it elevates character personalities and emotions introduced narratively. It’s hard to differentiate characters and give them their own voice when dealing with a group. This is especially true when you’re dealing with a first issue and having limited pages. However, Kelly does a wonderful job of bringing out each character’s personality. We get a good idea of who is who, the challenges they’re facing in life, and even personal issues they’re having. I’ve mentioned before that Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou is a master letterer, and it’s no different here. Word bubbles and text never obstruct a scene and they seamlessly transition from character to character. Lastly, the font, color, and bold lettering enhance the dialogue as characters’ emotions and situations change. The Cull is out next Wednesday friends, and I highly recommend it if you’re a fan of horror and mystery. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed!

Death of Doctor Strange 1: What a perfect start! I generally tend to stay away from events but with Doctor Strange being one of my favorite characters and the incredible team of Jed MacKay, Lee Garbett, and Antonio Favela there was no way I was going to miss out on this. We follow Stephen as he goes about a day in his life while narrating the responsibilities that fall on the Sorcerer Supreme and what it means to be in charge of protecting the Earth from those that would invade from different plains to do harm. Concurrently he tells the story of Koschei the Deathless and of the immortality he discovered. The way the story of Koschei unfolds throughout the issue and the significance to the theme and narrative of this event is excellent. I was immediately drawn in, fully entertained by the dialogue. It feels like Jed MacKay has been writing Doctor Strange for years with how well he characterizes him, It’s almost effortless. As events progress, Stephen begins to detect something is amiss among the other worldly realms. But, before he is able to uncover exactly what evil is lurking, Stephen is visited by a mysterious being. Tragically, Stephen falls victim to this being and is murdered! The world instantly feels the loss of the great Sorcerer Supreme. What happens next is an even bigger surprise than The Death of Doctor Strange! I want to finish by highlighting how fantastic Lee Garnett’s art is. Every page comes to life! Garbett has been one of my favorite artists for a very long time and I think he doesn’t get nearly enough the recognition or praise that he deserves. Also, Antonino Fabela’s colors are beautifully vibrant - especially during scenes involving magic. Just incredible all around! I can’t wait to see where this is going and who will fill the void of Sorcer Supreme!

Picking up right where the last issue left off and never letting up, The Death of Strange #2 continues with great storytelling, superb pacing, and amazing artwork (I will never run out of praise for Lee Garbett). Whenever I’m thoroughly enjoying a comic, I feel like I reach the end and don’t even realize it - while also feeling like I didn’t get enough because of how much I’m loving the story. This is exactly what happened this issue, but at the same time I think we do get a lot of information. We were introduced to the Three Mothers who have been teased since the beginning of the event, we were given background on why the younger Doctor Strange appeared (genius by the way and a super fun idea), and we learned what has been happening since the barrier that protected our world fell after Strange’s death. All of these moving parts and it never felt jumbled, rushed, or convoluted. Jed McKay has always done a fantastic job of laying out a story and methodically seeing it through. I’m happy to see he is accomplishing that with The Death of Doctor Strange. I’m naturally weary of events, having been reading comics for 10 years there’s been mishaps that have lead to periods of event burnout for me. This is especially true when it comes to the dozens of tie-ins or one shots typically associated with then. I’m enjoying Death of Doctor Strange so much that there are a few tie-ins I’m actually really looking forward to reading! I fully recommend this to anyone that’s a fan of Doctor Strange or has even the slightest interest in him. Things are only going to get more intense as this magic fueled Who Done It murder mystery continues so jump in now!

The second issue of The Last Book You’ll Ever Read continues the mystery behind Olivia Kade’s controversial and best selling novel Satyr. The violence and pandemonium Satyr is causing is escalating as the book finds it’s way into the hands of more people. As a result Olivia is confronted with protests as she makes her away across the country on her book tour. People are not taking too kindly to her writing in Satyr. She describes how we are all suppressing and internalizing our primal nature — a constant battle between our fierce nature and our urbane day-day to existence as Olivia describes it. To guard against the onslaught of threats and physical violence cast her way, Olivia hires a premiere private security firm to provide her protection. We are further introduced to her main bodyguard Connor Wilson as Olivia does a book reading at one of the bookstore stops. Chaos ensues and we see for the first time Connor needing to protect Olivia. Afterwards, they make their way back to their hotel where Olivia playfully asks Connor to join her for a drink. Hesitantly he accepts the offer leading to tense but flirtatious exchanges. It’s here that Connor questions Olivia about her motives and her behavior, almost taking the place of us the readers. The following night after another bookstore visit and more violence directed towards Olivia, they visit a local bar where she is hoping to blend in and relax. Connor and Olivia continue their conversation about her actions and his concern that her reckless behavior will get her hurt. Eventually a group of locals recognize her and make their way to her table to start trouble. Immediately Connor beats them to a pulp and escorts Olivia outside. Excited about how he defended her and both surely high on adrenaline, some steamy stuff takes places bringing our issue to a climactic ending. I continue to be drawn by the mystery of Olivia. There’s almost a Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct feel to her. If you are looking for big action sequences or fast paced storytelling, this is not where you’ll find it. I say this not as a negative or criticism of the comic. It’s more to inform that this is closer to an erotic thriller with horror undertones. The pacing is slow but it’s deliberate. There are comics that I can confidently recommend to everyone in general but this is more for those that appreciate the genre I described. The last thing I’ll touch on is Leila Leiz art which is just beautiful and seductive. Some pages are….😮‍💨 haha☺️

The Me You Love in the Dark by Skottie Young and Jorge Corona is in simplest of terms a story I’ve absolutely fallen in love with. Our main character Ro Meadows is an acclaimed artist that is suffering from artist’s block. To find inspiration again as well as herself she decides to leave the city and get away to focus on her art. She hires a realtor to help her find the perfect house to rent for her retreat. They come across a house that Ro falls in love with. Her realtor however tries to get her to reconsider as there have been many rumors that the house is haunted. Ro finds it amusing and decides to rent it since she’s fallen in love with it. We follow Ro as she tries to paint her next masterpiece while listening to music on a record player and enjoying some big glasses of wine. The way that Jorge Corona draws those glasses of wine make you crave one! Unfortunately for Ro she can’t quite get past her mental block. Frustrated with her painting she begins to playfully speak to the “Ghost” just about every day and makes some humorous requests. After she has an especially difficult day painting she throws what she deems a tantrum. In her exasperation she calls out to the ghost and I won’t spoil what happens next! Skottie Young and Jorge Corona have crafted a story that is intimate and personal. The dialogue flows effortlessly throughout. A highlight I want to point out is how much character Corona’s art gave to the house itself. From the wood, to the chairs, cabinets, everything jumps to life page after page. I can’t recommend this book enough. Please give it a try and fall in love with Ro and the Haunted House just as I have.

The Me You Love in The Dark continues to be a visual delight with the second issue. I find myself feeling like it has a special something that is hard to describe that makes it such an entertaining and joyous experience. There is nothing inherently complex about the plot as of yet, but nonetheless a must read because of how fun it is to see our main character Ro go about her days. Ro, finally has direct interactions with the “Ghost.” They start of slow and simple. As the story progresses their conversations become deeper and more meaningful. You could even say they become friends. After all, Ro is there to find the inspiration she’s been missing for her art — talking to a ghost could be that spark. And that spark eventually does come to Ro as she sets to paint her fist true art piece thanks to some words of encouragement and wisdom from our friendly ghost. Excited and thankful, Ro invites the ghost to view her finished art. It’s then that we get an idea as to why our ghost likes to stay under the guise of the dark

It’s rare for comic book titles to keep me hooked issue after issue, much less from the moment you turn to the first page. The Me You Love in The Dark continues to do just that with this issue. I typically highlight the artwork towards the end of my thoughts, but today I have to start there. Jorge Corona’s artwork and Jean-Francois Beaulieu’s colors navigate this story as much as, if not more than, Skottie Young’s writing. This isn’t meant as a slight toward Young’s writing at all, it’s just that Corona and Beaulieu have created a visual delight with here that I had to go back and admire again. The backgrounds, scenes, colors, setting, and simply everything is brought to life. So what happens with Ro and the Ghost this issue? Well, their relationship deepens as she continues to be inspired by his company - leading to her overcoming the artist’s block she was suffering from. The nature of Ro and the Ghost’s relationship and how it evolves is something I found to be fascinating this issue. However, being candid I think there may be some that will find issue with it, or at the very least made to feel uncomfortable.Nonetheless, it’s fascinating. You can feel the tension building scene after scene and it’s pretty damn exhilarating I have to say. Another beautiful issue that I enjoyed from beginning to end.

The Me You Love in The Dark #4 is the penultimate issue in Skottie Young and Jorge Corona’s hauntingly beautiful tale and it does not disappoint in the slightest. Music has played an integral role in the telling of this story, both as a literally and artistic tool, so I feel it’s apt to say that it has reached its crescendo. We experience the results of the build up in the relationship between Ro and The Ghost, and it’s intense - even terrifying. I say it’s terrifying but not in an gruesome way, or at least not yet. It’s terrifying on a psychological level in a way that I think can many people can relate. It’s this ability to relate to what Ro goes through that makes the events particularly chilling.  A criticism I’ve read that some have, is that The Me You Love in the Dark was billed as a horror story and that it’s been more cute than anything else. While I can agree with that statement to a degree, this issue does away with the cuteness and provides the hallmarks of a horror story. It’s claustrophobic, dark, violent, provides skin crawling moments of uncomfortableness, and the story stays with you after you’ve caught your breath from the sudden shift you just experienced.  Jorge Corona’s art has been phenomenal throughout the series and this issue continues that trend. The way he brings the settings to life is, in my opinion, unmatched to anything else I’ve seen in recent times. Jean-Francois Beaulieu’s colors also continue to be a highlight. The way he’s able to color scenes taking place in the dark while still making everything perfectly visible is so much fun to see. The way he colors the flames of candles and how the light hits Ro and objects is amazing.   The Me You Love in the Dark has been one of my favorite series this year and while I’m sad it’s coming to a close next issue, I can’t wait to see how the end of Ro’s time at the haunted house plays out.

The Nice House on The Lake has to be the most compelling comic book out this year for me. I mean no hyperbole when I say that narratively, it is near perfect. The dialogue that takes place from page to page is just so captivating. Seeing all of the characters dealing with and still processing the nightmare they find themselves in is tough. As I’ve been reading The Nice House on The Lake, and especially this issue, a feeling of dread comes over me and it lingers afterwards. I think that’s an incredibly important component of what horror comics and movies should aim to achieve. Alvaro Martinez Bueno continues to excel on art duty. His ability to convey the many different emotions our characters go through is impressive. Also, the amount of detail in the settings he is able to depict gives life to our characters’ surroundings. It’s an interesting and almost jarring balance given our characters are literally at the end of the world. I don’t even want to get into the actual specifics of this issue or provide a summarization past what I’ve already written because it warrants everyone to go into it as blindly as possible.

I don’t know how to begin expressing how much I enjoyed , and loved this first issue. It’s been years since I’ve felt that Peter Parker, MJ Watson, and Spider-Man have gotten the love and story they deserve. It’s never easy to revamp a legacy character, especially an icon like Spider-Man. However, Hickman and Checcheto have done what I once considered nearly impossible. There’s so many new elements and spins on the supporting cast. It’s just nice seeing Peter with a family, a steady job, a healthy relationship, and a good reputation among his peers. It main seem silly, but the perpetual “Peter Luck” has felt tiresome, safe, boring, and honestly insulting to the character for so long. There argument of Peter needing to perpetually stay in a state of being suffering, jobless, and just miserable for every new generation of readers has always been a weak one. I can’t wait to see all of the surprises, heroics, and heartfelt moments that Hickman has in store for us!

We Have Demons #1 by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo. This is Snyder’s first release from his exclusive deal with Amazon’s ComiXology and just released today! If you have an Amazon Prime or ComiXology Unlimited membership you can read it for free! I have been eagerly awaiting for this since it was announced. So what is We Have Demons all about? Well it’s a story about demons, faith (more on this later), a secret origin to the beginnings of the world and earth, and demon hunters. Our main character Lam is a girl whose pastor father has lived a secret life protecting the world from demons. The origins of these demons date back to the beginning of the universe itself with the Big Bang. This book is about faith, but not the traditional faiths we have come to know. It’s also not religious. It’s about faith in a mission and faith that good will triumph evil. Lam’s father eventually passes away which leads to her discovering the secret life that he has been living as a demon hunter protecting the world from a primordial evil that has been getting stronger through the ages. Luckily for Lam, she won’t undertake this journey alone as there are a few allies that will help her along the way. I have to say that it’s hard to compare We Have Demons to any other comic. It’s so narratively different from what Scott Snyder has done in the past. It’s eerie, unsettling at times, and definitely original in it’s take on Good and Evil. There’s going to be a lot of action and this is the set up before things get crazy. I’m in for the ride as I want to discover more about the secrets origins of Good and Evil. Lastly, I can’t discuss We Have Demons without touching on Greg Capullo’s art. Like always, there’s everything to enjoy about his art and if you’re a fan of Capullo you won’t be disappointed. Jonathan Glapion does wonders on colors as he also always does. This is an original idea, and when those are hard to come by in comics or any medium it’s always something I personally think should be given a shot.